MopiDEVI lays vanpic blame on Cabinet
Former minister Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao, in his defence, said that approval to the Vanpic project was a collective decision of the Cabinet and also a collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers and he can’t be held solely responsible for it. The court was hearing a bail petition filed by him.
Earlier, the CBI filed its counter argument objecting to the bail. Mr Venkataramana’s counsel Padmanath Reddy defended the bail petition quoting Rule 8 of the AP Government Business Rules. He said that the council of ministers are collectively responsible for orders issued in the name of Gover-nor. He said the onus of taking a decision on alienation or transfer of property worth more than Rs 2 lakh was on the Cabinet. “The minister had no choice. He had to forward it to the Cabinet,” the defence said.
In its counter, the CBI opposed bail on grounds that the minister of the concerned department has the constitutional obligation enjoined to his office to protect the interests of the government from wrongful alienation of lands. “Also, minor health disorders or physical ailments can’t be ground for bail,” it said. The court will hear arguments on Tuesday.
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